Gateway to Skadar Lake National Park
Virpazar is a small settlement in the Bar Municipality, at the point where the Crmnica River flows into Skadar Lake.
It is the main starting point for Skadar Lake National Park: the settlement houses the NP visitor centre, and boats depart from the port to the Grmožur Fortress and island monasteries. Above the settlement stands the Besac Fortress, near the bridge is a monument to the uprising of 13 July 1941, and in 1908 the first Montenegrin railway arrived here from Bar. The surrounding Crmnica region is the cradle of Vranac, and the village is famous for smoked carp and bleak.
Highlights
Above Virpazar stands Besac Fortress, which most sources attribute to the Ottomans at the end of the 15th century for lake surveillance. Between the two world wars it housed a gendarmerie station, and during World War II an Italian prison. It has been a cultural monument since 1957, and the first phase of restoration was completed in 2013. It can be reached from the village by a short footpath, with views of the lake and Crmnica.
The cultural and historical complex of Virpazar comprises the old bridge from the 19th century and the memorial to the uprising. On 13 July 1941 insurgents from Virpazar and surrounding villages – Godinje, Seoca, Boljevići and Krnjice – attacked the Italian garrison and liberated the village, in one of the first attacks of the Thirteenth of July Uprising. The monument stands by the bridge, in the very centre.
Licensed boat operators run short and longer tours from the port of Virpazar: to the island Grmožur Fortress (the short tour lasts about 1 h 20 min) and to the island monasteries of Starčevo, Beška, Moračnik and Kom. In summer you sail through fields of water lilies, and with a little luck you may see the Dalmatian pelican, the symbol of the lake. You can also rent a boat or kayak.
Only 4 km from Virpazar lies Godinje, one of the best-preserved villages on the lake. Stone houses with konobas are joined one to another, with walls up to 1 m thick, making the village resemble a fortress. From the village you can see the Grmožur Fortress on a small island, and family wineries offer Vranac tastings by appointment.
Virpazar is the centre of Crmnica, one of the four nahiyas of Old Montenegro and a land of Vranac and Kratošija vineyards. In the villages of Godinje, Boljevići, Limljani and Donji Brčeli, family wineries operate, and tastings are mostly by appointment. The Crmnica onion, a mild red onion from the Slow Food list, is also grown here. Every winter Virpazar celebrates wine and fish at the Wine and Bleak Festival.
What to do
By boat from the port of Virpazar to the Grmožur Fortress and the island monasteries of Starčevo, Beška, Moračnik and Kom.
More than 260 bird species, including the Dalmatian pelican and the pygmy cormorant; best in autumn and winter.
Vranac and Kratošija in the family wineries of Crmnica – Godinje, Boljevići, Limljani, Donji Brčeli – by appointment.
Paddling through the channels and water lily fields around Virpazar; kayaks or boats can be rented in the village.
A short, steep path from the village to the fortress with views of the lake and Crmnica.
Narration, a map and the full text in the browser – no app, works offline.
Hiking, walking and cycling routes that start here or pass nearby, with maps and GPX downloads.
A circular cycling trail 15.1 km long in Skadar Lake National Park. Ridden on asphalt and concrete, with a total ascent of 107 m and a duration of about 55 minutes without breaks.
15.1 km107 m45–65 minLoop
View trail
Biking Trail NPSJ01 is a 41.5 km cycling trail in Skadar Lake National Park. It follows asphalt and concrete roads, with 870 m of ascent and viewpoints, ending in Virpazar.
41.5 km870 m3–4 h
View trail
EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean Route – Montenegro Section is a cycling route 195.0 km long from Njivice to Sukobin. It runs on asphalt, has 3,259 m of ascent and passes through the coastal area, Lovćen National Park and Lake Skadar.
195 km3,259 m2–3 days
View trail
The Podgor – Virpazar hiking trail in Skadar Lake National Park: 11,4 km, ascent 62 m, descent 227 m, duration about 3 h 10 min. The trail is moderate and runs in one direction, with a viewpoint at 4,5 km.
11.4 km62 m2½–4 h
View trail
The circular cycling route Biking Trail NPSJ04, 20.0 km long, runs on asphalt/concrete through Skadarsko Jezero National Park. The ascent is 373 m, descent 369 m, and the ride without stops takes about 1 h 35 min; difficulty: easy.
20.0 km373 m1½–2 hLoop
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Trail TT5 takes you along almost 148 km, predominantly on asphalt, with a total ascent of 2604 m. It passes by Lake Skadar, historic fortresses, and landscapes that tell stories of water.
148 km2,604 m2–3 days
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A 34.0 km one-way cycling trail leading from the area around Bar to Virpazar. The ascent of 832 m reaches the Sutorman Pass at 805 m a.s.l., with viewpoints, springs, and Besac Fortress.
34.0 km832 m2½–3½ h
View trailEasy hiking route 4.7 km long with an ascent of 249 m. The start is near the Hoopoe Glamping and Adventures camp, and in the surrounding area are the Besac, Lesendro and Grmožur fortresses.
4.7 km249 m1½–2 h
View trailGallery
Plan your stay
Live offers from local hosts on our booking platform. Nothing is charged online – you pay the host on site.
Booking requests are confirmed by the host; payment on site. Offers come from the Travel to Montenegro booking platform.
Plan Your Visit
Website
nparkovi.meThe settlement is open all year round; cruises and most hospitality facilities operate seasonally, and the TO Bar tourist information office works in season.
For Skadar Lake National Park the ticket is €5 per person per day (includes the visitor centres in Vranjina and Virpazar); sport fishing permit €5 per day or €20 for 7 days. Tickets also at ulaznice.nparkovi.me.
Parking in the centre, by the square and the harbour; it fills up quickly in season.
The centre and the waterfront are flat; the footpath to Besac Fortress is steep and not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
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